DDR5 overclocking:
Once again, we will start with DDR5 overclocking before dealing with our Ryzen 5 7600. Why? Simply because we have noticed some options in the BIOS that have piqued our interest. The idea is to be able to use the best profile in combination with the processor overclocking.
Well, let’s start with a theoretical reminder, since there are changes with the arrival of the ZEN 4 architecture as far as memory is concerned. While for the Ryzen 5000, the standard was to keep a 1:1:1 ratio between mclk:uclk:fclk, this will change with the Ryzen 7000. Indeed, they adopt the DDR5 memory. This one sees its frequency increasing, which implies changes in these ratios. AMD now recommends for AM5 motherboards in DDR5 a 1:1 ratio for the mclk:uclk and to finally leave the fclk in AUTO which will automatically set it to 2000 MHz. Theoretically, this is how it will behave:
- DDR5-4800 will give with the new ratios 2400:2400:2000 MHz (mclk:uclk:fclk)
- DDR5-5200 will give with the new ratios 2600:2600:2000 MHz (mclk:uclk:fclk)
- DDR5-6000 will give with the new ratios 3000:3000:2000 MHz (mclk:uclk:fclk)
Well, it may sound a bit complicated like this, but we’ll explain it all to you. First of all, don’t panic, if you activate your XMP or EXPO profile in the BIOS, everything will be set up automatically. The explanations we give you here are for those who want to overclock their memory kit.
fclk, mclk, uclk, a little reminder :
The fclk is the frequency of theInfiny Fabric which can be, since the previous generation, controlled independently via the BIOS settings. By default, this value is set to AUTO mode and the motherboard will manage its frequency to ensure the stability of the system. Its maximum frequency is around 2100/2200 MHz but it also depends on the quality of your processor, but that’s the lottery that will decide. The mclk also sometimes called “memclk” is the frequency of your memory kit and the uclk is the frequency of the memory controller.
You should also know that if you exceed the frequency of 6000 MT/s with your memory kit, automatically the frequency of the memory controller (uclk) will switch to a ratio of 1:2, always with a view to ensuring system stability. AMD indicates that the best performing frequency and ratios are 3000:3000:2000 (mclk:uclk:fclk).
BIOS profiles:
As we reported to you, an option concerning DDR5 caught our attention in the BIOS. After loading the 6000-EXPO memory profile, the option below named “DRAM Performance Mode” allows us to choose between three different modes. By default, the “AMD AGESA Default” mode is activated, but the BIOS also offers the ” Competitive ” and ” Aggressive ” modes.
Having already encountered this type of options, we know that these modes will modify the memory profile by tightening the subtimings in order to boost performance. Let’s see what this will do under AIDA64 and Geekbench 3.
As you can see the different modes have a significant effect. We also decided to go through manual overclocking by increasing the voltage from 1.35 to 1.40 volt and by pushing the frequency to 6400 MT/s, the FCLK to 2100 while keeping a 1:1 ratio.
The overclocking potential is very nice and we could certainly go even higher by tightening some timings and subtimings. The idea here was first to judge the modes present in the BIOS and which will be very interesting for beginners in memory overclocking! An excellent point for this BIOS.
